APA – Lagos (Nigeria) The Lagos mass train service, known as the Lagos Blue Light Rail and designed to convey 175,000 passengers daily commenced operations in Lagos on Monday.
The Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who was the first passenger on the train service, assured the users of the Blue Line light rail of maximum security on board the train.
He paid tribute to President Bola Tinubu for being the brain behind the electric metro train service by including the train service in the master plan of the Lagos state government when he was the governor of the state.
Sanwo-Olu also expressed gratitude to the management of the Lagos State Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) for ensuring that safety and security of the train was properly managed throughout the inaugural ride.
The governor, who also commended the Lagos State Commissioner of Police as well as all the security agencies in Lagos for ensuring safety of lives and properties of the passengers while boarding the train, advised Lagos residents as well as students to obtain the Lagos State Residents Registration Agency (LASRRA) Card and the Cowry Card, which had been integrated to board all the means of government transportation in Lagos.
According to the governor, the light rail was able to take him and other passengers to many destinations in Lagos and back in less than an hour.
He disclosed that that the multi-modal transportation has been fully integrated in Lagos with the commencement of the blue light rail.
It will be recalled that the first phase of the completion of the infrastructure of the Blue Line was commissioned by former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari in December 2022.
According to the Managing Director, Lagos State Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Mrs Abimbola Akinajo, the train service, which would initially run 12 trips from Mile 2 to Marina on Lagos Island daily for a period of two weeks before the service would be gradually increased.
“We will be working according to a timetable. That timetable will be available on LAMATA’s website and at every station.
“When the train gets into any station, it will stop for no more than 90 seconds. So, you need to know, and this is it, for us to understand that it is a scheduled service,” she explained.
According to her, the Blue Line Rail service has five stations which comprise Marina, National Theatre, Orile-Iganmu, Alaba, and Mile 2.
Speaking on the security system, the Senior Special Rail Design Engineer, LAMATA, Mr. Abidemi Atobatele, said that all the terminals were covered by security men and Close Circuit Television and assured passengers of full security within the areas.
He, however, warned that the train is electrified and advised the residents along the route not to cross over the rail area, but to make use of the pedestrian bridges to avoid being electrocuted.
Many commuters believe that the commencement of the rail service will bring some relief to the long hours usually spent daily on Lagos roads by commuters.
GIK/APA
Lagos Blue Light metro begins commercial operation
